Spring Break
The Daily OrangeNew York Times columnist offers election, other insights
By Krista Seymour
Posted: 10/4/02, 12:50 AM EST Section: News
Listening to William Safire’s speech proved to be much like reading his column: humor and intelligence laced together.
“I’m a registered pundit, which means that I have answers and opinions about everything,” Safire, a renowned New York Times columnist told a Syracuse University audience at 7 p.m. Thursday in a full Hendricks Chapel, as the first lecture in the University Lecture Series. “And if I don’t have an answer or opinion, you’ll see one appear right before your very eyes.”
Safire’s role as a pundit was clear as he stated who he believes the candidates will be for the 2004 presidential election, including Senators Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.).
“Hillary (Clinton) won’t run,” Safire said decisively. “She will run in 2008, and her opponent will be Condi Rice. How do you like them apples?”
Safire’s pick for the 2004 election is Al Gore, because after “a successful war” from the Bush administration, a “sloppy economy” will ultimately be their demise.
As a New York Times columnist, Safire is unapologetic in his support for a swift war against Iraq. He said that there is a wall up between Arab and western nations that the Arab nations want to keep, because it shields them from the rest of the world discovering the discontent of their people.
“If we can have a military victory and reform the country, along with the Kurds, the Turks, the Sunni, and the Shi’ites, we would be able to develop a parliament,” Safire said. “It’s not a wild dream, but a real possibility. Government reform was possible in both Germany and Japan. If we are successful in instituting a new government in Iraq, that example will be immediately followed by a successful change in Israel, with a real parliament, and a real peace. We would also then see changes in Saudi Arabia. We don’t have to have a war against Islam forever. It’s idealistic, but there is no alternative.”
“I’m a registered pundit, which means that I have answers and opinions about everything,” Safire, a renowned New York Times columnist told a Syracuse University audience at 7 p.m. Thursday in a full Hendricks Chapel, as the first lecture in the University Lecture Series. “And if I don’t have an answer or opinion, you’ll see one appear right before your very eyes.”
Safire’s role as a pundit was clear as he stated who he believes the candidates will be for the 2004 presidential election, including Senators Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.).
“Hillary (Clinton) won’t run,” Safire said decisively. “She will run in 2008, and her opponent will be Condi Rice. How do you like them apples?”
Safire’s pick for the 2004 election is Al Gore, because after “a successful war” from the Bush administration, a “sloppy economy” will ultimately be their demise.
As a New York Times columnist, Safire is unapologetic in his support for a swift war against Iraq. He said that there is a wall up between Arab and western nations that the Arab nations want to keep, because it shields them from the rest of the world discovering the discontent of their people.
“If we can have a military victory and reform the country, along with the Kurds, the Turks, the Sunni, and the Shi’ites, we would be able to develop a parliament,” Safire said. “It’s not a wild dream, but a real possibility. Government reform was possible in both Germany and Japan. If we are successful in instituting a new government in Iraq, that example will be immediately followed by a successful change in Israel, with a real parliament, and a real peace. We would also then see changes in Saudi Arabia. We don’t have to have a war against Islam forever. It’s idealistic, but there is no alternative.”
